For the past 12 years we have been writing about the chief minister of Gujarat as being responsible for the happenings in his state.

We called him a communalist with no grip on his administration. A man unable to curb violence against thousands of citizens, and who showed laxity in prosecuting its perpetrators.

Now that he is clearly ahead in the polls we realise we have been utterly mistaken.

He is in fact a visionary with a total grip on his administration. His revolutionary view on development has made life better for thousands of citizens.

We are shocked by our misidentification and we offer Mr Modi our most sincere and unconditional hypocrisy.

Signed,

All journalists and anchors

BURN.

Update: Aaker Patel, in whose column the "clarification" appears, makes a habit of poking fun at the Indian prime ministerial candidate - here he is offering Modi action figures for sale, which he says are "not suitable for thinking adults".